Powell could race in Glasgow despite doping ban

Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell could run at the Commonwealth Games this summer despite receiving an 18-month ban for a failed drugs test.

Powell was suspended by the Jamaica Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel in April after he tested positive for the banned stimulant oxilofrine. But an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has resulted in a stay of execution of his ban, opening the door to a possible appearance in Glasgow.

Powell and training partner Sherone Simpson, who was also banned after testing positive for the same stimulant, are due to have their appeals heard on July 7 and 8. Both athletes however, applied for a stay of execution pending the appeal hearings in the hope of competing at the Jamaican Championships next week, which are also serving as Jamaica's Commonwealth trials.

CAS has agreed to their application, confirming in a statement that both athletes "are free to compete from now on but may have to serve the remaining part of their ban later if the sanction is eventually confirmed by CAS".

The ruling means that if Powell is successful at the trials and then has his ban reduced by CAS, the path would be clear for him to race in Glasgow, which will host the Commonwealths from July 23 to August 3.

Powell is a former Commonwealth 100m champion, having won gold at the 2006 Games in Melbourne.

The pair have already effectively served year-long bans since their positive drug tests were revealed, with Powell's last racing competitively at the Lausanne Diamond League meeting on July 4 last year.